Protecting Your Child From Infections

Topic Overview

Disease-causing germs spread anytime large numbers of
people are together or when people share items. Germs spread more easily during
the colder months, because people spend a lot of time indoors around one
another. Close and frequent contact with others makes it easier for germs to
spread.

Immunizations help protect your child from vaccine-preventable infections. Most are given as shots. They:

Protect your child from dangerous diseases and help to keep disease from spreading.

Cost less than getting treated for the diseases.

Have very few serious side effects.

Often are needed before a child can attend school or day care.

You can also practice the following basic hygiene and preventive
measures to help prevent illness.

Basic hygiene at home, day care, or school

It's impossible to protect your child from all contagious illnesses.
But you can teach healthy habits to help reduce your child's risk of
infections. Teach your child:

That germs spread when people touch their
eyes, nose, and mouth before washing their hands. Teach your child to cough or sneeze into his or her arm, so that the mouth stays covered. Children should wash their hands each time they use
the toilet and after they blow their nose, especially if drainage gets on
their hands. Teach your child to dry his or her hands thoroughly after washing
them. Using
hand sanitizers also kills germs that can cause
illness.

Not to share hats, combs, toothbrushes, eating utensils, or other personal
items with other children. Teach your child not to share food, drinks, or silverware with others.

To use tissues and to cover the mouth
when coughing or sneezing. Show your child how to hold the tissues so that
drainage doesn't get on his or her hands. Tell your child to always throw
away tissues in a trash can.

To use only clean, dry paper towels
and tissues. Teach your child not to handle tissues or paper towels used by
other children.

Not to touch other children's blood, urine, stool,
or other drainage. Teach your child to tell an adult caregiver if another child
is bleeding or accidentally urinates or passes a stool.

Children younger than age 2 need a caregiver's help to prevent the spread of germs. Wash your child's hands frequently, and disinfect shared toys. If your child attends day care, closely review the policies regarding sick children and hygiene issues.

If your child becomes ill, keep him or her out of day care and away from other children until the contagious period has passed. If you are unsure about how long this should be, contact your doctor.

Basic hygiene in other public areas

When in a
public area, such as an airport or restaurant, be aware of the risk of exposure
to germs that can make you and your child ill.

Avoid people with an obvious illness (such as a
person who is coughing or sneezing).

Don't be afraid to tell
others, especially those you don't know, not to touch your child.

Do not let your child eat, or touch his or her mouth, eyes,
or nose, until his or her hands are thoroughly washed with soap and
water.

Make sure your utensils, table, and general eating area are
clean.

If your child is in day care, make sure
good hygiene practices are followed. These include
regular sanitation of facilities and toys, sanitary food preparation, proper
bathroom procedures and cleaning, and procedures for when children become ill.

Try to avoid public areas in
certain situations. For example, your doctor may recommend keeping
your newborn or child with health problems away from large crowds during
outbreaks of disease.

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